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Schwinn Crewmaster Rowing Machine Review


Schwinn is a brand of Nautilus, the trusted name in fitness machines and known to many for their weight training equipment. So what can they do with rowing machines? Here's my review of their mid-budget model, the Crewmaster.

As with all home fitness equipment you first have the ordeal of unpacking and assembling the thing - not our favorite task. Thankfully, the Schwinn Crewmaster comes in two pieces and requires very little work to put together.

One up to Schwinn!

So onto the comfort and  rowing position. The seat is a wide, generic seat that you can find on a number of rowers in this price category. It's perfectly adequate for most, and besides, if you find it uncomfortable due to the size of your butt - either it will shortly become comfortable as you lose weight, or you can buy a gel cushion to fit over it. The seat rolls up and down the rail quietly with a smooth action. Note, the rail (or beam) is around five feet in length which will also suit the taller rower of up to 6' 4".

At the opposite end, the footrests are wide, adjustable and will hold even the largest feet in place. The handle has a good grip and the right diameter to make it easy to hold and prevent slipping which can lead to hand blisters. The handles is attached to the rower with a nylon cord. While I have no reason to doubt that this cord is durable and long-lasting, it does look cheap in my opinion - just me being picky though.

The resistance mechanism is supplied by magnets around a flywheel which means it's much quieter than an air rower - but at a cost of not replicating t he feel of an oar passing through water. While this makes no odds if you want to get fit or lose weight, if you're used to rowing on Concept2 machines in a gym, this will feel different.
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​The Crewmaster comes with 10 levels of resistance manually selected using a knob on the central console. The range between 1 and 10 is wide, but note, there are no programs which will automatically change the resistance for you such as an interval training session.

This is a folding rowing machine, but due to the long component housing the resistance mechanism, it's a little awkward to move on it's wheels when folded.

One big plus, the Crewmaster comes with a generous warranty for a mid-priced machine. The frame is guaranteed for ten years, all parts are covered for three, and the labor costs are included for one year. This certainly helps with peace of mind when laying out $500 :0)
The Display/ Monitor
The large LCD display and monitor is both easy to read and use. The screen is also adjustable to a height that suits you. It displays you training time, stroke count, distance, stroke speed, calories, and your recovery heart rate. It's great that it's enabled for a heart rate monitor, but note that a chest strap is not provided, and that there are no preset  heart rate programs.

A number of rowers in this price range that come with preset programs (see 'Also Worth a Look' section below) so it's a little disappointing that you get nothing with this model. Preset programs help to aid variety into your training and can set targets to keep you interested.
​Summary:
The Schwinn Crewmaster is a well-made rowing machine that should get you fit and last for several years of trouble-free rowing, but... it has nothing that grabs your interest. It's a typical run-of-the-mill, middle budget price machine that will serve you well, but just won't get your pulse racing before you get on it.

​Note: This website is an associate of Amazon and a number of other retailers. We earn a commission from sales generated via these links, 
​but this does not influence how we rate the rowing machines we review.
Schwinn Crewmaster: 7.5/ 10 7.5 Stars Reviewer: R. Palmer

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rowing machine review likes
We Like...
  • Heart rate monitor enabled - but note, chest strap is not included
  • It's solid and doesn't move around
  • Very good warranty - see below for details
  • 5 foot rail is suitable for taller rowers (up to 6' 4")
  • 10 levels of resistance
  • Very quiet in operation
Picture
We Don't Like...
  • No preset programs
  • The nylon cord for the handle looks cheap (although quiet)
  • Manual selection of resistance levels
  • Not that easy to fold
 
rowing machine review specification
Technical specification:
Resistance type:
Max user weight:
Dimensions:
Machine weight:

Magnetic
300 lbs

93" (L) x 21" (W) x 32" (H)
78 lbs


Picture
Warranty:
10 years on frame.
3 years on parts.
1 year labor

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE
​

  
Schwinn Crewmaster rowing machine side view
The Schwinn Crewmaster Rower


​  
Schwinn Crewmaster seat on rowing machine
Generic seat is adequate

​

  
Schwinn Crewmaster footrests
Good-sized foot rests
 


​

Schwinn Crewmaster display and console on rowing machine
Large display screen
Also worth a look:
For around the same price, the Conquer Magnetic offers an alternative.

Schwinn Crewmaster user comments


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  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Benefits
    • weightloss
    • Rowing Machine Technique
    • rower verses exercise bike
    • rower verses treadmill
    • rower verses elliptical cross trainer
    • Injuries
    • Setting Goals
  • Brands
  • Buyers Guide
    • Compare
    • Types
    • used
    • Dropshippers
    • terminology
    • retailer strategies
    • Buy from store or web
    • Help
  • UK Rowers
  • Workouts
    • Example Workouts
    • Tabata Rowing Workouts
    • Time Trial Workouts
    • Duration Workout
    • Heart Rate Training Programs
    • Rowing Machine Workout Program
    • Training Apps
    • Bad Workout Habits
  • Concept2
    • Model D vs Model E
  • WaterRower
  • Blog
  • The zone
    • Awareness and Focus
    • Peak Performance Zone
  • Fitness Tests
    • Cardio Vascular Fitness Test
    • Balance Test
    • Coordination Test
  • Maintenance
    • mats
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
    • Your Privacy
    • Disclaimer